"...In the end, that evil spirit master from a hundred years ago was no match for him. Bear Lord sent him flying with a single claw strike. The claw marks on the square are what remain from that time."
Zhao Yao's fingertip lightly traced the vicious crack that ran across the entire white jade square. Her tone carried a hint of the pride unique to a disciple of the Spirit Transmission Tower.
An evil spirit master?
Tang Yinmeng frowned slightly. For some reason, the story sounded strangely familiar to her, as though she had heard a similar account somewhere before—only the protagonist had been someone else.
A hundred years ago. A Limit Douluo. Forcibly entered the Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters.
In a flash, her pupils suddenly contracted. Her fingers unconsciously clutched her sleeve.
Wasn't this about her teacher, Light and Dark Douluo Long Yeyue?!
A hundred years ago, what other Limit Douluo would have dared to storm the Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters besides her teacher, Long Yeyue?
Teacher Long Yeyue = evil spirit master?
Tang Yinmeng abruptly turned her head to look at Zhao Yao, trying to find any trace of deliberate provocation on her face. But this Spirit Transmission Tower reception envoy's expression was as usual. She even led her and Gu Ruiqiu into the Spirit Transmission Tower, eagerly introducing other sights inside, as if she had only just casually mentioned an insignificant piece of unofficial history.
Did she truly not know?
Tang Yinmeng felt a slight tightness in her chest, unsure how to respond.
If the Spirit Transmission Tower had long since characterized that conflict as an "evil spirit master attack" and had told their juniors about it, passing it down through generations...
When her teacher found out, she would go mad.
She closed her eyes.
But looking at it from another angle, the Spirit Transmission Tower had had no choice. After all, if the outside world learned that a top-tier powerhouse of Shrek Academy had once forced their way into the Spirit Transmission Tower, even if there was a reason, in the eyes of those who did not know the truth, it would become solid evidence of Shrek bullying others.
Changing it to an evil spirit master forcibly entering was, in any case, better than the deputy master of the Sea God Pavilion storming the Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters.
After thinking it over, Tang Yinmeng could only face the two with a polite smile. It was only when she walked into Leng Yaozhu's office that she temporarily breathed a sigh of relief.
"I didn't realize it. When did you become enemies with Shrek Academy?"
Zhao Yao watched Tang Yinmeng walk into the room, then looked at Gu Ruiqiu with a smile. "If you still want to vent, I can help you."
The latter shook her head. "No need. Let it be. The important thing now is not her."
At this point, Gu Ruiqiu paused and looked toward a certain floor of the Spirit Transmission Tower. "...It's those books."
While Huo Yuhao was at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, she needed to clear them as quickly as possible.
At the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, some time had passed since the match had ended. Everyone had gathered in the corridor, openly discussing the matter of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
After all, within Huo Yuhao's domain, they were not worried about their conversation being exposed.
However...
Xu Xiaoyan suddenly realized a blind spot she had not noticed before. She glanced at Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena in a strange way.
Since Yuhao's domain could prevent outsiders from seeing what was happening inside and could even create illusions, what did the two of them usually do in there?
Surely they wouldn't…
"Xiaoyan, what's wrong?"
Gu Yuena's voice snapped Xu Xiaoyan back to the present. She quickly shook her head, a blush appearing on her face. "N-nothing. I just suddenly thought of something."
"Focus." Gu Yuena did not mind. "Although you may not be able to do much when you go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, don't be blind to it. Listen carefully to what Yuhao says."
"..."
Xu Xiaoyan immediately puffed out her cheeks. "Na'er, saying that makes me feel like I don't have much joy in victory anymore."
Even if it was true, don't pour cold water on their excitement.
Gu Yuena glanced at her, placed her hand on her head, and gently rubbed it. The corner of her mouth lifted. "What? Can't handle the truth? You still have a long way to go. What's there to be proud of defeating Shrek Academy once?"
Xu Xiaoyan, with her hair being ruffled, immediately softened like a contented kitten. Her puffed-up expression instantly melted. She murmured, "But we did win with our own skill..."
Huo Yuhao smiled from the side and gently took Gu Yuena's hand. "Alright, Na'er. Xiaoyan and the others all performed very well in the match just now. It deserves recognition. Say no more."
Gu Yuena, seeing him speak, nodded and stopped her lecturing.
Hearing Huo Yuhao's praise, Xie Xie and the others also broke into smiles.
Seeing the atmosphere atmosphere becoming lively, Huo Yuhao continued to discuss matters related to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, point out points to them the various points that required attention.
After listening, Tang Wulin was somewhat puzzled. "Since tomorrow is the time to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, why hasn't my teacher come?"
Teacher Bear Lord was also supposed to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, wasn't he? Why had he not come to the meeting point?
Huo Yuhao did not explain in detail. "The elders who will be going with us to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well tomorrow are only Her Majesty Tianfeng Douluo and my teacher. Bear Lord will join the party after we reach Tiandou City."
"Yuhao's teacher, Tower Master Snow Empress?"
Xie Xie and the others extracted the key words from Huo Yuhao's words.
They had met Tianfeng Douluo once before in Tianhai City. But Snow Empress, the legendary Lord of the Extreme North, even though they knew she was Huo Yuhao's teacher, remained a mysterious and unfathomable presence to them.
Fortunately, they had dealt with quite a few important people by now and were considered well-traveled. They were not very nervous inside, more curious.
What kind of person was she?
Time quickly arrived the next day, and their questions were answered.
The Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters airport in the early morning was shrouded in mist. The silver-gray soul tool aircraft sat quietly on the tarmac. Xie Xie and the others had been waiting there for some time, looking up toward the headquarters from time to time.
"Here they come!" Xu Xiaoyan suddenly pointed into the distance.
Four figures were walking from the direction of the Spirit Transmission Tower. At the front, Snow Empress was dressed in an ice silk long dress. As her robes fluttered, it seemed as if frost and snow were swirling. Her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, flowing with a moonlit luster in the morning light.
Beside her was Tianfeng Douluo, whom they knew. Her fiery red dress blazed like flame. A bright smile played at the corner of her lips, beautifully contrasting with Snow Empress's coolness, like a wonderful concerto of ice and fire.
Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena followed closely behind. The young man was dressed in a dark blue training outfit, his features sharp like a sword. The girl had silver hair and amethyst eyes, her skirts fluttering. Though they walked a half-step behind, they had their own excellence.
These four walking together created a breathtaking picture. Snow Empress's cool aloofness, Tianfeng's bright flame, Huo Yuhao's gentle warmth, Gu Yuena's ethereal grace. The morning light plated them in gold, as if even the air was stagnant.
"This..." Xie Xie sucked in a breath of cold air. "This is too dazzling."
The others nodded.
Four people with such distinctive appearances and personalities walking together was truly too dazzling. Everyone at the airport was turning their gaze here.
On the street, this combination would definitely have a 100% turn-back rate.
Tianfeng Douluo stopped before the group and smiled. "Have you been waiting long?"
"We just got here too!"
Xu Xiaoyan quickly waved her hand, but her eyes could not help drifting toward Snow Empress.
So beautiful, so ethereal, and with a commanding presence...
So this was the legendary ruler of the Extreme North?
She completely matched the image in her heart, even exceeded it a bit.
Noticing Xu Xiaoyan's gaze, Snow Empress slightly and greeted everyone.
They were not very familiar with her, but she had already seen them many times through her divine consciousness.
At the same time, another group was also approaching from a different direction.
It was the Shrek Academy people.
To Xie Xie and the others' surprise, the arrivals were not only Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng but also three others.
Ye Xinglan, Le Zhengyu, and Xu Lizhi.
Xie Xie nudged Tang Wulin with his elbow and lowered his voice. "What are they doing here? Wasn't the chance to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well part of Shrek's compensation?"
"It probably is that Shrek Academy also wants to train their new generation?" Tang Wulin scratched his head. "I don't know either. Don't ask me."
The two groups eventually joined together. The atmosphere was somewhat solidified.
Enemies meeting were particularly angry with each other.
Shrek Academy had just lost yesterday, and Le Zhengyu had been ganged up on. Naturally, he could not put on a pleasant face. But before coming, Lan Muzi had warned them in advance that several of Their Excellencies would also be present.
So Le Zhengyu restrained himself, not letting his expression look too bad. Together with Lan Muzi and Tang Yinmeng, he bowed to Snow Empress and Leng Yaozhu.
Snow Empress and Leng Yaozhu nodded slightly, returning the greeting.
Seeing this, Lan Muzi straightened up. "We are really sorry to trouble the Spirit Transmission Tower with arranging a soul tool aircraft."
Leng Yaozhu shook her head. "It's nothing. This way is also faster."
At this point, she also looked at Ye Xinglan and the others, narrowing her eyes. "They are?"
Lan Muzi smiled. "Since the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is going to be opened anyway, we thought we would have our junior apprentice brother and sister come along as well and try their luck. It was the Pavilion Master's idea."
Though he had a smile on his face, he was actually somewhat helpless.
The three he had originally envisioned were Ye Xinglan, Le Zhengyu, and Long Chen.
It was just that in this match, Long Chen, one of his most promising candidates, had been suppressed by bloodline and had not been able to show any role at all. Because of the previously established regulations, he could not be included in the selection. Long Chen would have to wait for the next time.
Leng Yaozhu frowned, but finally said nothing.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was their territory. If they wanted to send their own people, others had little grounds to question.
"Speaking of which, is Bear Lord not here?" Lan Muzi looked at the assembled Spirit Transmission Tower group, somewhat puzzled.
Leng Yaozhu said calmly, "Bear Lord was not at the Spirit Transmission Tower headquarters before. And Tang Yinmeng told me yesterday that the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is near Tiandou City. Naturally, he would not come here."
While the few were conversing, Ye Xinglan's gaze was focused on Huo Yuhao. Noticing this, Gu Yuena's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She stepped forward, blocking her view. "Student Ye Xinglan, do you have something?"
"..."
Ye Xinglan was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I'm sorry. Two years ago, my attitude was too arrogant."
Behind her, Xu Lizhi and Le Zhengyu looked at her in surprise.
Ye Xinglan had apologized?
Xie Xie and the others were also somewhat surprised.
Gu Yuena raised her eyebrows slightly. She, too, had not expected the other to want to apologize. But she quickly recovered her calm. "There's nothing to apologize for. Shrek has already sent their compensation."
Tang Yinmeng's eyelids twitched. She naturally knew the other was referring to the opportunity to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and the spirit bones.
Young lady, couldn't you be a little less direct?
Ye Xinglan opened her mouth, but Gu Yuena had already turned her head to look at the soul tool aircraft, clearly not intending to engage further.
Ye Xinglan stared at Gu Yuena's and Huo Yuhao's backs, saying no more.
Seeing this, Xie Xie walked over to Xu Lizhi, seeming to have forgotten that he had been chasing him around just the day before, and asked, "Has she changed her nature? What happened to her old arrogance?"
"..."
Xu Lizhi looked at him with complicated eyes.
Neither side had held back yesterday. Saying anything now seemed awkward.
But remembering that Xie Xie had been good to him two years ago, Xu Lizhi still lowered his voice. "Xinglan has changed a lot since losing two years ago. And yesterday..."
Yesterday's defeat seemed to have caused some more changes in Ye Xinglan.
Time passed as they talked. The time for the soul tool aircraft to take off arrived. Everyone boarded one after another.
Soon, the soul tool aircraft broke through the clouds and sped toward Tiandou City.
At the Tang Sect headquarters, Duoqing Douluo looked at Yun Ming beside him and smiled helplessly. "They're coming. And three top powerhouses at once. They really don't trust us."
"And we likewise do not trust them?" Yun Ming sighed. "Three top top powerhouses. If they directly used their strength to pressure pressure, those immortal herbs would have no choice. I'd better go."
Duoqing Douluo said, "Among them is Tower Master Leng..."
"..." Yun Ming's expression became somewhat unnatural. "In that case, you go. I will stay here as insurance insurance."
Duoqing Douluo shook his head, turned, and walked out of the Tang Sect base.
A few hours later, on the outskirts of Tiandou City, Huo Yuhao and the others sat in Tang Sect combat vehicles, heading out of Tiandou City.
A large, powerful figure had also joined the group.
They had already met up with Bear Lord. Upon seeing Huo Yuhao and the others, he had a lot to say. However, considering the urgent matter at hand, he did not linger. He quickly made the necessary arrangements and followed them.
The three Tang Sect combat vehicles traveled along rugged roads. Inside, however, the occupants were complaining.
"Seriously, is the location of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well really that important?"
Xie Xie looked at the blacked-out windows and the partition in front of him, utterly speechless. "Do they really have to keep even the route a secret like this?"
"Is that the point?" Xu Xiaoyan said softly. "The key is, such arrangements are useless against powerful individuals, aren't they? They can just use their spiritual power to detect the route they traveled."
Xie Xie rolled his eyes. "Who knows? I'm getting a strong sense of déjà vu. It's like wearing a mask at an auction."
While Xie Xie was complaining, in another vehicle, things were, as he had hoped, not concealed.
Perhaps it was because of this person's presence.
Huo Yuhao looked at the driver in front of him, thoughtfully.
This faint, obscure aura. It was the Limit Douluo stationed at the Tang Sect headquarters, wasn't it?
In the original third installment of Douluo, the Tang Sect had two headquarters. One in Shrek City, one in Tiandou City.
Now it seemed that, in a certain sense, there had been no change.
In this era, Shrek Academy was a sort of alternative Tang Sect headquarters. Tiandou City was the real real Tang Sect headquarters.
After all, this was Tang Sect's birthplace, and with an important place like the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well here, it was naturally worth Tang Sect's effort to develop.
Moreover, Haotian Sect was just outside Tiandou City. Locating the headquarters here made it convenient for Haotian Sect and Tang Sect to contact and support each other.
Huo Yuhao had noticed the driver's identity. The three powerful individuals in the same vehicle had also naturally noticed it. Bear Lord tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Duoqing, when did you stoop to driving yourself?"
"With three of Their Excellencies from the Spirit Transmission Tower visiting, acting as a driver and guide to show the way to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is hardly demeaning, is it?"
Duoqing Douluo smiled faintly. "As long as you do not cause a disturbance at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, I will be very grateful."
"Instead of worrying about that, just give us a satisfactory answer."
Bear Lord said bluntly. "One immortal herb per person. We will say nothing. You, with your military background, can't you be a bit more generous?"
Upon hearing this, Duoqing Douluo smiled and said nothing.
It was only when the vehicles arrived before a hazy, indistinct boundary that he spoke again.
"We're here. Please get out."
The group looked up, seeing through the world beyond this illusion.
This was undoubtedly a very superb illusion, but it was still a bit lacking to stop them.
Their gazes pierced through the illusion before them, seeing the scene within.
A silver-white high wall gleamed with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight. The wall was engraved with soul tool runes. Energy could faintly be seen flowing within, clearly configured with soul tool weapons.
Looking at that high wall, suspected to be built to protect the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Huo Yuhao inexplicably had a sense of déjà vu, like looking at the core area of the original Star Dou Great Forest.
Caged spirit beasts.
***
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